The eminent Iranian Sunni scholar criticized rise in ‘narrow-mindedness’ and ‘fanaticism’ in the Muslim world and urged on a ‘new approach’ for the Islamic unity.
Talking to the audience of the 30th International Unity Conference with guests from 54 countries on Dec. 17, 2016, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid Isma’eel said, “We all are here to meditate on the problems of the Muslim Ummah and seek ways for unity and solidarity.”
He alluded to the high tolerance of the prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, and said, “The prophet PBUH is the best exemplary for us. We Muslims have a prophet who is a mercy for everyone in the world. He came forward with a broad sight to guide the mankind.”
“He, peace and prayers be upon him, was such a great man as if a child or old woman was stopping him on the way, he used to stop and listen to him/her. He was paying attention to all classes of society and people; he termed Salman al-Farsi one of his households as he was alone with no relatives in Madinah al-Munawwarah,” the rector of Darululoom Zahedan added more.
He underlined, “All Muslim sects, schools of thought and tendencies –Shias and Sunnis- should utilize the high capacity of Islam. Today the Muslim world is in a condition that the past methods and approaches do not work, Muslims should enter the field with a new approach and reorganization.”
“The current situation of the Muslim world is serious; on one side Islamic awakening is swelling. On the other hand, the world’s powers conspire to sabotage this awakening. Thus all Muslims should be vigilant,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid stressed.
Addressing rectors of seminaries, heads of religious centers and Ulama of the both sects, he said, “We should broaden our sights and tolerance making the Noble Qur’an and Seerah of Rahmat-ul-Lila’alamin our ideals and exemplary.
Providing minorities their rights, the best way to uproot extremism
The Friday imam and Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan pointed out to some solutions for overcoming crises and getting unity as saying, “I think the best discretion to root up extremism and Takfeer is taking care of minorities’ rights in the Muslim states. Whether the minorities are religious, sectarian, ethnic or any other one; the due rights of all should be provided with an open mind.”
In a part of his speech at the concluding ceremony of 30th International Unity Conference, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid advised the Secretary General of the state-run Taqreeb organization and said, “I’d like to recommend Mr. Araki and his colleagues at the Forum for Proximity to organize and hold the conferences with a new approach and maintain the activities of the forum with consultations and new examinations.”
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan concluded his points and said, “There is no a better way than unity. The unity of Ummah is the only way to end the problems and pains of Muslims. I’d like to call on tendencies and representatives of all opinions in the world to accept each other, show tolerance and sympathy and revise their past attitudes.”